Charles spiro



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. SPIRO. COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

'No. 593,131. Patented Nov 2,1897

'jwen/iofy .figiro,

UNITED STATES PATENT tries.

CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,131, dated November 2, 1897.

Application filed January '7, 1897 Serial No. 61.86%. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES SPIRO, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in coin-controlled apparatus or nickel-in-the-slot machines; and it has for its object, among others, to provide a simple and cheap device of this class composed of few parts, those readily assembled, positive in their action, and not liable to get out of order.

1 provide simple mechanism to provide against beating the machine by the introduction thereinto of a coin of other than the prescribed value, size, and weight for which the machine is designed.

I provide positive means for preventing the admission of a coin when the goods-box is empty.

I provide a novel form of box for holding the goods, permitting of the quick and easy refilling of the machine when the last of the goods from any one of the boxes thereof has been delivered.

The device is compact and can be placed upon the market for a trifling cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure l is a substantially central vertical section through my improvement in coin-controlled apparatus from front to rear with portions in elevation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the goods-box removed, showing also one of the goods-packages. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional detail at right angles to Fig. 1 with portions in elevation, a portion of the section of said view being taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 and the remainder on the line t at of said Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail of the upper portion of the plunger; and Fig. 5 is a perspective detail of the lower portion, comprising the delivery-lever and the cam portion thereof. The parts illustrated in these two latter views are shown separated, but in their relative positions.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawin gs by letter, A designates the inclosing case, of any suitable material, of substantially the shape shown, and in the rearmost portion that is, that of the greater height-J arrange a partition or partitions A, over the upper end or ends of which the hook at the upper end of the goods box or receptacle is designed to be detachably engaged.

One of the boxes is shown detached in Fig. 2 and comprises the back or body portion B, the two sides I) of the box being open at the top and having a portion of the box bent over to form a hook Z1, which is adapted to engage over the upper end of the partition, as seen in Fig. 1, whereby the goods box or receptacle is detachably supported in proper position. The front side is open, as indicated, and the sides I) h are extended below the bottom of the back portion, as seen clearly in Fig. 2, leaving an opening or space E, which is of substantially the same height as the thickness of the article to be delivered. The extreme lower ends of these sides bhare bent inwardly a short distance to form the lugs or flanges 5 leaving a space 6 therebetween. These lugs or flanges serve a double p urpose. They support the case and also serve as guides and supports for the free end of the delivery-lever in its movement in delivering the goods. In practice this goods box or receptacle is filled up with the cakes of chocolate, gum, or other desired material or article C which the machine is designed to deliver, it being understood, of course, that the lowermost article C is supported upon the flanges b of the opposite sides of the goods box or receptacle, and the others supported thereupon, as indicated in Fig. 3, and as the lowermost one is delivered the next-succeeding higher one takes its place to be delivered in the next operation of the machine.

D is a weight placed upon the uppermost box or cake or package of goods, as indicated,

and upon its under side it is provided witha lug or projection d,designed to extend through the opening 12 between the lugs b as it falls into place after the last article from the box has been delivered. This depending lug serves an important fu notion, as will be hereinafter set forth. The shoulders d upon opposite sides thereof rest upon the lugs 19 of tion at the top of the front side for this pur-- pose, as may be deemed most expedient.

E is the inclined partition, which forms the bottom of the cash-box, and the rear or inner end is extended upwardly to form the partition 6, behind which the goods aredelivered onto the inclined wall or chute F, down which they slide to the opening f in the lower front Wall of the inclosing case, from which they are delivered to the purchaser.

The machine may be arranged for one, two, or more deliveries, as may be desired, in this instance shown as arranged for three; but it is evident that this number may be varied at will.

As the mechanism within each compartment is alike in all respects a description of one will of course suffice for them all. The cash-box may or may not have partitions.

The top of the box toward the front is provided with a coin-receiving slot 9 and the opposite walls in proximity thereto preferably tapered or inclined toward the same, as in Fig. 1, so as to facilitate the finding of the slot and permitting of its ready use in the dark, if desired. Below this slot is a transverse coin-guide H, comprising, preferably, the two parts, as indicated in Fig. 1, separated and a trifle wider than the thickness of the coin to be used, so that the space h, into which the coin is received and guided, shall be a trifle wider than the thickness of said coin. These two parts of the coin-guide are held together by the pins H, which are arranged a distance apart equal to the diameter of the coin, so as to permit the same to pass therebetween, these pins serving also to maintain the coin against lateral displacement in its slot. The coin-guide or the coinguides composed of these two parts is held between the side walls of the cash-boxin any suitable manner.

I is the delivery-slide, mounted to reciprocate between the under face of the top of the inclosing case at the depressed portion thereof, wherein is arranged the coin-slot and the upper face of the coin-guide, as seen best in Fig. 1, this slide being omitted in Fig. 3. This slide may be connected with the plunger in any suitable manner, the said plunger be ing mounted to slide through an opening in the front wall of the case, as indicated, and

of course mounted to move in line with the out in the coin-guide to insure reciprocation with as little friction as possible. This delivery-slide has a slot 6, extending vertically therethrough, as indicated in Figs. 1 and i, said slot being opposite the opening between the coin-guides, and consequently opposite the coin-slot g, when the plunger is at rest, so as to admit the coin, and when the coin introduced is .of the proper size it descends to a point slightly below the lower line of the delivery-slide, so as not to interfere with the free movement thereof. While any suitable means may be provided for connecting the plunger to the deliveryslide, I have chosen to show in this instance the inner end of the plunger as slot-ted, and into this slot the end of the slide is received and the two secured together by the screw or analogous means j.

The slide is guided in its movements and returned to its normal position after pressure is removed from the plunger by the following mechanism: Kis a guide-screw secured in the coin-guide parallel with the movement of the slide and its outer end received in the opening Z in the loop or guide L, depending from the inner end of the plunger, and around this rod or pin K, between this guidedoop and the adjacent face of the coin-guide, is a spring K, which as the plunger is forced in is compressed, and when pressure is removed from the plunger the spring returns the parts to their normal position, which is that indicated in Fig. 1. The delivery-slide has at its inner end the depending ears I, having the openings i, as shown, to receive the pivots M of the delivery-lever. This lever N has the upwardly-extending ears or lugs 01, having the opening n to receive said pivots, and the ears I of the delivery-slide fit between the ears of the delivery-lever,as shown. The upper ends of the ears n of the delivery-lever are notched or cut out, as seen at n to receive the lugs or stops 1 on the ears 1 above their pivots. This construction forms stops, so that the lever may be limited in its movements, for it is most essential that the lever should not rise too high, or else its push end would not ride through the opening in the goods-box in line with the slide, as it should do in order to avoid straining the slide, nor should the rear end of this lever rise too high, or else the coin will obstruct the free passage of the slide, as will be readily understood. The lever is arranged to be held normally in its lowermost position, and for aiding in this purpose I provide a coil-spring between the ears of the slide and the lever, so as to maintain such position of the latter. The inner end of this lever N is bent upward at substantially a right angle, as seen at N, this portion being of the width equal to that between the adjacent edges of the flanges b of the goods-box, while its extreme upper end is extended to form a substantially T-shaped portion, the extended parts N or flanges being designed to enter between the sides I) b of the goods-box or receptacle and to ride upon the upper face of the flanges 5 thereof. This delivery-lever just in front of its pivot is inclined downwardly, as seen at O, and in the adjacent horizontal portion 0 is formed a depression 0, having the transverse slot 0, the side walls of which depression are slightly inclined, as shown, and from this point the lever is extended upon an incline to form the cam-like portion P, the object and function of which will soon hereinafter appear. The width of this slot is such. that when a coin of the proper size and thickness is introduced it rests on the beveled side walls of the depression 0,

but in case a thinner coin is introduced it falls through the slot into the cash-box and prevents the delivery of the goods. If a larger coin be introduced, it will be forced down against the front end of the lever and forces its inner end up to such a point that it will engage the depending lug or stop Q (seen in Fig. 1) and prevent movement of the delivery-slide.

The coin is shown in position in Figs. 1 and 3 and is designated by the letter X.

lVith the parts constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described the operation will be apparent, and, briefly stated, is as followsi Normally the parts are in the position in which they are shown in Fig. 1, with the slot of the delivery-slide coincident with the coin-slot of the case and the slot in the coin-guide. When the parts are in this position, if a coin of the proper size is dropped into the coin-slot it will drop until it finds a resting-place on the delivery-lever over the slot therein, the upper edge of the coin bein g just below the delivery-slide, so as to permit of free movement of the latter. Now if the plunger is pushed inwardly, it being understood that the coin-guide and the coin held therein remain stationary, the inner end of the delivery-lever is caused to rise by reason of the engagement of the cam portion of the forward end thereof upon the under side of the coin, the parts being so constructed and arranged that as the inner end of said delivery-lever is moved upward it enters the goodsbox at the opening therein,.and the flanges of the end of said lever are supported in their position by the flanges 12 of the opposite sides of the goods-box, and when the plunger has been moved inwardly so that the lever has passed the place where the coin is maintained by the coin-guides the coin will drop. This takes place before the delivery of the goods.

Upon releasing the plunger the spring will cause the same to assume its normal position. When the goods have been all delivered, the weight will rest on the flanges of the goodsbox, and the depending lug thereon will engage the inner end of the delivery-lever, so as to prevent the outward movement of the plunger, and thus hold the pusher-handle within the casing.

The mechanism hereinbefore described serves most effectually to thwart mischievous or dishonest attempts to secure the delivering of the goods without payment of the proper coin. As hereinbefore stated, a thinner coin will pass through the slot in the outer end of the delivery-lever and fall into the cash-box. A thicker coin forced into the coin-guide may, if it be of the proper diameter, secure one package, but no more, because the coin will not drop after the lever has passed, and on the return of the lever its cam end will strike the coin, and so prevent the full return of the delivery-slide, and as the slot in said slide will not, therefore, come or be opposite the slot in the casing and the opening between the coin-guides no other coin can be inserted 'and no further goods removed. When the coin or piece is too large, the slot in the slide will strike it, and if it is forced down against the delivery-lever it will raise the push end of said lever too high, causing the same to engage the stop Q, and thus prevent the delivery of the goods. I preferably make the edges of the slot in the slide sharp, so that if apiece of string be tied to a coin of the proper size by means of passing it through a hole in the coin and the same introduced into the machine and an attempt be made to withdraw the coin the slot in the slide will cut the string when it has been forced against the sharp edge of the cut-away portion in the coin-guide.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. For instance, the depending lug or projection on the weight may sometimes be omitted, as the Weight resting upon the flanges of the goods box or receptacle will serve to prevent return of the plunger and thus cover the coinslot in the casing.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with the case and the coin-guide therein, of a delivery-slide having a slot normally coincident with that of the guide and with the coin-slot of the case, and a delivery-lever pivotally mounted on the inner end of said slide to project beneath the coin-guide and support a coin in said guide and adapted to travel from beneath the coin to release the same; substantially as described.

2. The combination with the case and the coin-guide therein, of a delivery-slide having a slot normally coincident with that of the guide and with the coin-slot of the case, and a depending delivery-lever pivotally mounted on the inner end of said slide, and having a turned-up inner end and having its outer end projected beneath the coin-guide to support a coin in said guide and adapted to travel from beneath the coin to release the same; substantially as described.

3. The combination with the case and the coin-guide therein, of a delivery-slide having a slot normally coincident with that of the I release the same, and a spring between the guide and plunger for returning the latter to its normal position; substantially as described.

5. In a vending-machine, the combination with the case and the coin-guide, of a deliv-' release the same, a spring between the guide and plunger for returningthe latter to its normal position, and a guide-pin connected with the coin-guide and around which said spring is arranged; substantially as described.

6. In a vendingnnachine ot' the character described, a delivery-lever having a coin-slot of less diameter than the coin adapted for use with the machine and formed in a depression having inclinedwalls; substantially as described.

'7. In a vending-machine of the character described, a delivery-lever having a coin-slot formed in a depression having inclined walls, and a cam portion adjacent to said slot; substantially as described.

8. In a vending-machine, the combination with the delivery-slide having depending ears and lateral stops, of a delivery-lever having ears with their upper ends notched to receive and be engaged by said stops; substantially as described.

9. In a vending-machine of the character described, a coin-guide extending transversely of the cash-box and comprising two parallel strips arranged with a space between them to receive the coin and joined by transverse pins serving to prevent lateral displacement of the coin in said slot; substantially as described.

10. The combination with the case having goods-box compartments and depending stop in front thereof, of a reciprocatory deliveryslide,'and a pivoted delivery-lever mounted thereon and adapted to be drawn into engagement with said stop by the introduction of a coin of greater than the prescribed diameter: substantially as described.

11. The combination with the case and the coin-guide, of the reciprocatory deliveryslide, the plunger connected therewith, and a depending delivery-lever pivotally supported from the slide and projected beneath the coin-guide and adapted to travel beneath the coin to prevent dropping ofthe coin until after the goods have been delivered; substantially as described.

12. The combination with the case and the coin-gnide therein, of the delivery-slide mounted to reciprocate between the coinguide and the upper wall of the ease, and a delivery-lever pivotally supported from the inner end of the slide, and having a transverse c0in-slot, and a cam portion in proximity thereto; substantially as described.

' 13. The combination with I the case and the coinguide therein, of the delivery-slide mounted to reciprocate between the coinguide and the upper wall of the case, and a delivery-lever pivotally supported from the inner end of the slide, and havinga transverse coin-slot, and a cam portion in proximity thereto, the walls of said slot being beveled: substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES SPIRO.

WVitnesses:

H. A. ROHRICT, JOHN Mowiron. 

